Questions and Answers
What is the basis for calculating the expected exit time for each individual in a low-pressure scenario?
Who is responsible for consulting with Command on safety measures and precautions during an incident?
What happens if either the Safety Officer or the Accountability Officer judges an operation to be unsafe?
In the event of a conflict, which guidelines take precedence?
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How does the Accountability Officer provide a warning to begin exit guidelines?
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Who assumes the responsibilities of the Accountability Officer during the initial stages of an incident?
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What is the minimum ratio of personnel outside the confined space to personnel working within the confined space?
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What is the primary function of the Accountability Officer?
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What type of breathing apparatus is required for all personnel entering a confined space?
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What type of equipment is required for vertical spaces greater than 5 feet?
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What type of lighting and radio equipment must be used inside the confined space?
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Which of the following is NOT a required piece of protective clothing for personnel entering a confined space?
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What is the minimum ratio of personnel on the standby rescue team to personnel working within the confined space?
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What is the purpose of the Treatment Group or Division established near the entrance/exit point to the space?
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What must command assume about the atmosphere in a confined space before testing?
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Which of the following actions is essential before initiating rescue operations in a confined space?
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How should atmospheric testing be performed in vertical spaces?
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What is the threshold for oxygen concentration considered Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)?
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What must be monitored continuously during the entry operation in a confined space?
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What does LEL stand for in the context of combustibility testing?
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Which of the following toxic levels represent an IDLH situation for hydrogen sulfide?
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What is the primary reason operations within confined spaces must be approached with extreme caution?
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Which of the following is NOT a step to ensure safety in a confined space prior to entry?
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Which of the following is NOT listed as part of the permit entry information that Command must secure?
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What must Command attempt to gather before allowing personnel to enter a confined space?
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What does the acronym SDS stand for in the context of confined space operations?
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Which of the following is crucial for personnel safety within a confined space incident?
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What is one of the elements that must be set up as part of the confined space operation?
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When is the next scheduled re-evaluation date for the Confined Space Guideline?
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What kind of systems are to be employed for rescue operations in confined spaces?
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Study Notes
Confined Space Guideline
Purpose
- Confined space incidents may involve injured persons, asphyxiation, cave-ins, or fires within the space
- Operations within confined spaces require extreme caution and direct supervision
- Safety guidelines must be rigidly enforced to avoid premature commitment to unknown risks
Procedure
- Command must:
- Secure permit entry information, including isolation/lockout/tag points, hazards expected, ventilation setup, atmospheric testing results, protective clothing and respirator used, lifeline and mechanical advantage systems used, and SDS data
- Complete a fire department entry permit for all rescue operations
- Ensure appropriate isolation of electrical, steam, fluid, or mechanical sources
- Conduct atmospheric testing for oxygen concentration, combustibility, and toxicity (minimally for carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide)
- Ventilate the confined space as needed to secure safe atmospheric levels
- Complete continuous atmospheric monitoring in the work space during the entry operation
- Ensure all personnel entering the space use SCBAs or SARs with a five-minute escape pack until the atmosphere is confirmed safe
- Ensure all personnel entering the space wear protective clothing and are connected to a lifeline
Atmospheric Testing
- Testing must be done at four-foot increments, along with top and bottom measurements, for vertical spaces
- Testing must be done in the area of the lead entrant for horizontal spaces
- Test readings must be taken simultaneously or in the order shown
- IDLH readings are regarded as follows:
- Oxygen concentration: < 19.5% or > 23.5%
- Combustibility: 10% of LEL or < 5' of obscured vision due to dust
- Toxicity: hydrogen sulfide - 10ppm, carbon monoxide - 35ppm
Support Activities
- A minimum 2:1 ratio of personnel outside the confined space to personnel working within the confined space must be maintained
- A stand-by rescue team with a 1:1 ratio must be provided to offer emergency assistance
- A Treatment Group or Division must be established near the entrance/exit point to the space
- An Accountability Officer must be established to control access to the confined space, record personnel information, and maintain a time awareness of the expected exit time for each individual
Safety Measures
- The Department Safety Officer must consult with Command on safety measures and precautions
- A Safety Division Officer must be assigned to assume responsibilities during the initial stages of the incident
- Both the Safety Officer and the Accountability Officer must evaluate risks and enforce all safety requirements associated with the emergency
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Standard Operating Guidelines for confined space operations as outlined by the Hoffman Estates Fire Department. Learn about safety protocols and procedures for specialized operations.
